Adrian Li from AC Ventures on parallels between triathlons and startups, being a venturepreneur and his ‘barbell balance’ technique for work-life balance
Published on October 7, 2021
Original Post by Understanding VC
Adrian Li is a venture capitalist amongst many other things, who has ample entrepreneurial experience, and prefers the tag of being a venturepreneur. He has acquired intensive business experience in Indonesia and China, which he shares with us in this episode.
Adrian also divulges his “barbell balance” technique for work-life balance, and reveals a fascinating analogy between triathlons and startups based on his hybrid experience of being an investor, an entrepreneur, as well as an athlete.
This episode will answer:
- Why is Adrian drawn to developing markets like China and Indonesia? What role does technology play here?
- What motivated Adrian to develop Idapted, a one-on-one English test preparation platform for Chinese students? What were some of the challenges he faced in the process?
- What is Adrian’s science of hiring, and what inspires it?
- Why does Adrian refer to himself as a “Venturepreneur”?
- What is AC Academy? How does AC Ventures aim to educate entrepreneurs through it?
- Why doesn’t Adrian endorse the Chinese 996 work culture?
- What is Adrian’s Barbell Strategy to achieve work-life balance?
- How does Adrian compare a triathlon with the evolution of a startup? What are the ways to reach the finishing line?
- What is Adrian’s perception of the Indonesian tech startup ecosystem, its qualities, and shortcomings?
